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Why was Minerva McGonagall at Privet Drive in Chapter One of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?



I just began a reread and it seems odd that Prof. McGonagall was at Privet Drive--all day watching the Dursleys--yet did not seem to know that Dumbledore planned to leave Harry with the Dursleys. Indeed, she seems almost shocked when Dumbledore suggests he is leaving Harry there. If she was surprised at this, why would she be at 4 Privet Drive in the first place? Did someone tell her to be at that particular place? Did she know Petunia? Is there any canon-based explanation for this, and if not, any other explanations? Thanks.



Answer



There's a simple answer to this.



"Hagrid's late. I suppose it was he who told you I'd be here, by the way?"



Mcgonagall earlier expressed surprise that Lily and James were truly dead. Obviously, she had no idea who the Dursleys were, she was just watching their news:




"even the Muggles have noticed something's going on. It was on their news."



She was told that she could find Dumbledore there after all the rumors by Hagrid. That's why she was there.


She was there all day because...well, we're not sure why. She does express her discontent for the celebrations, when there's danger around:



"Oh yes, everyone's celebrating, all right," she said impatiently. "You'd think they'd be a bit more careful, but no -- "



She waited the day for Dumbledore, but did not know that he would leave Harry there. It's all in the chapter.


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